Respecting Holidays
On this page:
Part 1: Need for Representation
Part 2: Tips for Teachers and Schools
Part 3: Examples of Some Activities
Part 4: Interesting Resources
Part 1: Need for Representation
Part 2: Tips for Teachers and Schools
Part 3: Examples of Some Activities
Part 4: Interesting Resources
Part 1: Need for Representation
Schools are growing increasingly diverse. Where once, most students in Quebec schools were Christian, now, there is a large proportion of students who observe other or no religious traditions. Teachers must ensure that the celebration of different holidays does not exclude students. Teachers should not carry on traditions without considering their impact on the student population. Nor do I feel we should swing to the other extreme and ban the celebration of holidays simply to ensure that we do not exclude anyone. As discussed in the Starting the Discussion section, what we talk about or what we fail to talk about with our students has an important effect on how they believe we view their culture. In Quebec, the Ethics and Religious Culture attempts to ensure a respectful dialogue around religious holidays.
The course proposes to:
However, conscientious educational leaders will not simply rely on one course to ensure that students are made aware and given a chance to appreciate different cultural and religious holidays.
The course proposes to:
- teach students about the important place Catholicism and Protestantism hold in Quebec's religious heritage
- help students discover the contributions of Judaism and Native spiritualities in Quebec's religious heritage
- teach students about the elements of other religious traditions more recently found in Quebec society.
However, conscientious educational leaders will not simply rely on one course to ensure that students are made aware and given a chance to appreciate different cultural and religious holidays.
Part 2: Tips for Teachers
In "Culturally Responsive Instruction for Holidays and Religious Celebrations," Lundgren & Lundy-Ponce (2007) make several suggestions for teachers that wish to explore different religious traditions in school.
- Have an approach that is academic and not devotional.
- Focus on the awareness of religions rather than acceptance of any one religion.
- Sponsor study about religion, not the practice of religion.
- Expose students to a diversity of religious views and do not impose any particular view.
- Educate about all religions — do not promote or denigrate any religion.
- Inform students about various beliefs, rather than conform students to any particular belief.
- Ensure that major assignments and exams do not coincide with major religious holidays.
Part 3: Examples of Some Activities
Samaritan Behavioral Health, an American non-profit organization providing help for different people in need in their community from the elderly to youth at risk to people suffering from depression offers an interesting resource for their Appreciate Diversity Month. The document called 88 Ways to Appreciate Diversity offers lots of really great ideas for activities celebrating cultural diversity. Although the document is geared to businesses it does provide some interesting ideas for schools. #79 suggests to invite members of a cultural community to explain the significance of a holiday. If appropriate, the students and staff can partake in one element of the holiday.
Part 4: Interesting Resources
- Jasmine, J. (1994). Multicultural holidays: Share our celebration. Huntington Beach, CA: Teacher Created Materials.Background information on more than 75 holidays throughout the year ... includes suggestions for ways to observe these holidays in classrooms, related activities, student contracts, and exciting culminating activities
- Multicultural Calendar. Celebrating Unity in Diversity.